About the seminar

The ACP/EU Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA), chose as the theme of its 2009 annual seminar the "Role of the Media in Agricultural and Rural Development in ACP countries”. The international seminar took place in Brussels, Belgium between 12 and 16 October 2009. It aimed to:

• Contribute to the preparation of strategies for media capacity building with regard to access and dissemination of information on key issues for the ACP agricultural sector;
• Strengthen communication links between the media and the agricultural sector;
• Contribute to the identification of media support programmes.

More about the seminar.

Videos

More Videos ...

Follow the media4Dev group on Twitter

Twitter discussion on Media4Dev

Soundbites

“I have to be here, my country is in ruins, but I am in Brussels because I need to find out how I can be a better journalist and help farmers in Guinea. I also need to tell you that the young women who are trying to become journalists in my country are facing terrible discrimination and we must do something to help them.”
Mama Adama Keita, Radio Nationale, Guinea

“Make no mistake, the media matters because they have a key role not only in agricultural and rural development but in governance, democracy and transparency.”
Ian Barber, European Commission

“In 2050 the world will need to feed, fuel, employ and educate 9 billion people. Only the media can tell the stories of potential success as well as inform people in crisis situations. ”
Hansjorg Neun, CTA

“The culture of the media is changing to be a vehicle of development and not an instrument of the State. ”
Tumi Makgabo, African Broadcasting and Media, South Africa

“Sometimes journalists are lazy … how can the topic of agriculture be more attractive? Let’s get the message right and get it through. ”
Jean-Phillippe Rapp, Director of the International Media North South Forum, Switzerland

“As public sector representatives and agricultural researchers we love and hate the media. What we know from our experience in the Caribbean is that we can’t live without them. The media has a symbiotic relationship with democracy and empowerment through improved exchanges of information. Media can be agents of change in our oral societies. However, this will mean that we have to dismantle monopolies of information and communication. It is an exciting time in the history of agricultural and rural development to see, for example, how call-in radio shows are possible through mobile phone technology. Ignatius Jean, IICA, Guyana as a journalist you have to be self-driven every day … There is a lack of mentors and a lot of competition. simple things become complex due to the lack of resources. ”
Violet Otindo, K24-CNN Award Winner

“We have to avoid parasitic journalism that feeds on the adversities of poor people. Can the media take time, get interested and know the needs of rural communities? ”
William Songa, CTA Board

“Usually the media is at the periphery of any conference room, this time it is at the center. ”
Sayouba Traore, RFI

I was taken by storm. I knew I was on the shortlist for the award, but I never knew it was the first prize! …The award for me is an honour for those young African, Caribbean, and Pacific broadcasters who work to make things better for their communities. Thank you to CTA for honouring me and for the judges who chose me. ”
Aaron Kaah, Cameroon

“Words cannot express how I felt. It was wonderful! Certainly a dream come to reality.”
Gladson Makowa, Malawi